Acupuncture for alcohol use disorder: Research status and potential strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a prevalent, chronic relapsing substance use disorder, with its prevalence increasing worldwide, along with socioeconomic development. Given the limitations of conventional AUD treatments, including the variable efficacy of pharmacotherapy and implementation challenges of some psychotherapy methods, researchers have increasingly investigated acupuncture as a potential adjunctive therapy. Acupuncture is a traditional complementary therapy that has shown potential in managing mental and behavioral disorders. While its cost-effectiveness and accessibility vary across healthcare systems, preliminary evidence suggests adjunctive benefits for AUD. Through modulation of the dopaminergic and opioid systems and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, acupuncture may reduce alcohol consumption and cravings, thereby facilitating AUD management and alleviating associated mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. This review investigated and stratified commonly used acupoints in preclinical and clinical studies, offering recommendations for enhanced application and investigation of acupuncture treatment for AUD. The paucity of research in this domain warrants further exploration through well-structured research initiatives.